Expressing concern over the dengue outbreak and its resultant panic in the country the High Court has asked chief health officers of Dhaka North and South City Corporations to bring effective insecticides within one week to stop the spread of Aedes mosquitoes and the dengue virus.

The High Court bench of Justice Tariq-ul-Hakim and Justice Md Shohrowardi passed the verbal order after the two officials, DSCC Chief Health Officer Brigadier General Md Sharif Ahmed and DNCC Chief Health Officer Brigadier General Md Mominur Rahman Mamun, appeared before it on Thursday.

The bench also gave the two officials time till 2pm Thursday to inform on what procedures are to be followed to bring the specific insecticides within the stipulated time.  

Earlier on Monday, the court summoned the chief health officials as it was not pleased with the report filed about preventing mosquito-borne diseases.

On July 14, the High Court ordered the two mayors of Dhaka North and South City Corporations, executive officers, health secretary, local government secretary, and directorate general of health director to report on the step taken to prevent Dengue and Chikungunya.

At the same time, the bench also issued a ruling asking why the inaction of the authorities concerned in preventing the diseases should not be declared illegal.

Deshsangbad/Al-amin Alo